Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 I Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The 39i was offered in two-cabin and three-cabin configurations, and both appear on the brokerage market, though three-cabin examples are the more common find. The two-cabin layout is arguably the more liveable arrangement for a couple: it gives up a cabin but gains a genuinely spacious saloon with opposing settees, a larger head with a proper separate shower stall and seat, and more storage throughout. The three-cabin version — which offers owners a choice between one large aft cabin to starboard or twin aft cabins — compresses the head and removes the separate shower, a tradeoff that becomes real on passages. If you intend to cruise as a couple or a family that doesn't regularly bring guests, the two-cabin boat is worth seeking out. The forward cabin is roomy in either layout, with a full V-berth and hanging lockers that reflect Jeanneau's decision not to force a second head into the forepeak. The saloon in both layouts features a wraparound dinette to starboard with seating for several, a settee opposite the nav station, and an L-shaped galley that wraps the forward companionway corner usefully.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Used examples are typically well-equipped relative to their generation. A bimini and dodger combination is commonly fitted, reflecting how many of these boats spent time in sun-intensive Mediterranean or tropical cruising grounds. Chartplotters and autopilots are nearly universal on boats that have done any serious passage-making, and most examples carry a cockpit shower — an easy addition given the hot-and-cold transom shower that was already part of the original deck layout. Solar panels are a frequent owner upgrade, often added as a practical response to marina-free anchoring; hot water systems similarly show up widely, often tied into the engine-coolant circuit. Teak cockpit decking appears on a solid share of the fleet, though its condition varies considerably with maintenance history.

Beyond the baseline, a meaningful portion of the used fleet has been fitted with an asymmetric spinnaker and associated gear — the bow includes provision for a retractable bowsprit, making this a straightforward addition — along with AIS, radar, and in some cases a life raft already installed in the dedicated stern-skirt locker Jeanneau built in for that purpose. Heating systems appear on boats that spent winters in Northern Europe. Dinghy davits, bow thrusters, inverters, and freezers occur less frequently and are best treated as pleasant discoveries rather than expectations; where present, they usually signal a boat that has been set up for extended cruising rather than seasonal weekend use.

What to Inspect

The 39i's outboard chainplate arrangement is worth understanding before sea trial. The chainplates are bolted to the hull outboard, which is structurally sound and less prone to deck leaks than the conventional through-deck setup, but it does impose a limit on headsail sheeting angles — you will be restricted to minimal-overlap headsails if you want to point effectively upwind. This is a design characteristic, not a defect, but it is worth knowing if close-winded performance matters to you.

Pay attention to the keel attachment. The 39i carries a fin keel with a pronounced bulb and an elongated root footprint; the keel has a long root footprint, elongated trailing and leading edge fillets and a 23-degree sweep to the leading edge. On boats of this era and type, the keel-to-hull joint deserves careful inspection for crazing, soft spots, or evidence of grounding history. The bulb extends notably past the trailing edge, making the keel vulnerable to impact in shallow water. Ask for a survey that pays particular attention to this area, and inspect the bilge interior directly above the keel for any sign of movement or stress cracking.

The twin-helm arrangement opens up the cockpit but can mean reduced wheel diameter relative to a single-helm layout, which can result in more helm pressure than you would like for a nice feel. On sea trial, pay attention to helm weight at speed and assess whether the steering feels proportionate to the boat's size. Also verify that the mainsheet traveler — notably short at roughly 32 inches — is in good shape and that its car and control lines are functional; a restricted traveler limits sail trim options substantially.

Check the engine — a 40-horsepower Yanmar diesel is standard — for service history, impeller condition, and any signs of overheating. With 34 gallons of fuel capacity the range under power is respectable but not excessive; verify the tank is clean and that the fuel system has been maintained. The water tanks hold a generous 94 gallons, and plumbing and tank condition are worth investigating on older examples. Inspect the lazarette carefully — the large port lazarette is a genuine strength of this model — and confirm that its drain and hatch seal are sound.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

The 39i has a healthy brokerage presence in the Mediterranean, particularly in Greece, France, and Italy, where many examples were chartered or based during the production years. North American buyers will find them available, with the United States carrying a reasonable share of the fleet. Examples also appear in the Netherlands and Australia, reflecting the model's spread across European and Pacific sailing communities.

For a buyer who wants a manageable, well-equipped 39-footer with genuine family cruising credentials and an easy learning curve, the 39i is a strong candidate. The key is finding one whose equipment has been maintained rather than merely accumulated.

Before committing, confirm:

• Keel-to-hull joint is free of crazing, movement, or soft material
• Chainplate hardware is tight and corrosion-free
• Steering system feels balanced and proportionate under sail
• Engine service records are complete and recent
• Teak decking (where fitted) is sealed properly and not hiding soft core beneath
• All electronics and autopilot are functional and calibrated
• Life raft locker and any safety equipment are within service dates
• Fuel and water tanks have been cleaned and are free of contamination
• Head plumbing on the three-cabin layout is in good working order
• Bow bowsprit hardware is present and undamaged if an asymmetric spinnaker is fitted